Sewickley burglar alarm response ends with man shot dead by police

Allegheny County police have confirmed that the gunshot that killed a man at a home in Sewickley came from an officer who went there in response to a burglar alarm Monday night.

Robert Brooks was shot four times by county and local police officers -- twice in the chest and twice grazed -- according to Superintendent Charles Moffatt, who said it happened as Brooks was trying to take a long gun from an officer and they were struggling. Brooks was trying to take the weapon and pointing it at other officers in the room, Moffatt said.

"That was what he wanted," said Brooks' cousin, Chad Brooks, the owner of the home. "He planned for police to kill him."

Robert Brooks, 27, lived at the house on Thorn Street with his relatives but, in recent months, was charged with threatening to kill them and was under a restraining order to stay away, according to court records.

There were two police calls at the home on Monday -- first, a domestic disturbance, and then, a burglary alarm around 9:30 p.m. When police arrived the second time, they said they came face-to-face with Brooks.

"The homeowners weren't home. The burglar alarms went off," Lt. Andrew Schurman said. "The police responded to that. They found an intruder in the home, and they had a physical altercation with him during which he was shot."

Chad Brooks said Robert Brooks assaulted his wife earlier in the day, and he and his wife had gotten all their belongings and were staying at a hotel, which is why they were not at home when the alarm went off. He said he's glad that no police officers were hurt and that his family is safe.

According to a criminal complaint, Robert Brooks was from Poteau, Okla., and had once lived in the home with Chad Brooks and his cousin's wife, which "caused marital issues" with the couple.

The couple -- who, according to reports, had filed for divorce -- told police that Robert Brooks was formerly an Army Ranger and a "Shadow Warrior" who had joined the Army National Guard, and they filed a protection from abuse order after he allegedly sent voice and text messages over a period of several months threatening to kill them, the complaint says.

According to the complaint, the voicemail messages allegedly included:- "If I'm going to go out I will take you guys with me"- "There is only one way I can get out and that is combat and that's what I'm pushing for"- "If I can't be your friend and your lover and can't treat you the way you deserve then I don't want to live and I don't want either of you to live"

According to the complaint, the text messages allegedly included:- "If a PFA is filed and pursued by you or Chad and if you exclude me and break your promises and be weak and selfish I will destroy you and Chad along with myself"- "If either of you continue to attack me and if you do not show love towards me I will act operationally"- "I am completely capable of far worse things than either of you can imagine...serious about all this"- "I can kill the police and you and Chad"- "I feel the only way I can regain control of my life is taking yours and Chad and then my own"- "Once I get paid I will kill Chad and myself and you will be free of us evil men"- "I really think I'm going to kill [his cousin] and myself that way you will have full custody and be free of us"...."My main plan is to take care of Chad"

Chad Brooks said Robert Brooks left the Rangers two years ago and was living with him and his wife because he had helped raise Robert.

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